Star Wars "Other Collectibles": The Neo-Classic Era

[BigDumbWookiee]

It really seems like there has been a resurgence of interest in "other collectibles" in the past year or so, with the release of items like the Master Replicas line, Dark Horse Mini Busts, Kotobukiya Vinyl kits, food promotions, etc. However, what seems to go unnoticed are all of the items from the neo-classic era for Star Wars (mid-90's - pre-prequels). Ive been going back and looking through Jawa Traders and whatnot, and there were some absolutely fantastic items back then! And the best part is, they are at rock bottom prices if you know where to look.

So, what are some of the neo-classic items that interest you the most? What do you have, and what are you trying to find?

One of my favorite lines is the Riddell Mini Helmet line. Easily my most cherished collectibles from Star Wars. It is a line I wish every day could make a comeback, as it has world of possibilities!

Right now, Im also starting to work on the Legends in 3D bust line. They are really down pricewise, and I've had some good luck so far. So far I've won two on Ebay (Greedo and Cantina Band Member) for $25 and $45 respectively. About twice the size of Dark Horse mini busts, and in the case of Greedo, at half the price!

I also want to collect the 70mm film frames. I don't have any yet, and Im trying to hold out for large lots or complete sets, but the prices look really great on Ebay right now (as low as 6-7 bucks)

So what other neo classic items are there out there? What stuff did you love, what did you hate? What are you trying to collect now, or what do you have? Anyone trying to sell Legends busts or film frames?

[Angry Ewok]

I liked the Applause Vinyl 10 inchers, the prequel to the 12 inch line. They are very low-detail, somewhat low quality in general, but I still like them.
I've got Darth Vader, Han (Stormtrooper), ANH ObiWan, Lando (Skiff), and Liea (Speeder Bike).

One day I'll pick up the TIE Pilot and Wedge Antilles, too.

Another thing, I believe this was pre-prequel, the Electronic banks. I've got Darth Vader, and the C3PO/R2 banks. Vader just swings his blade around to some music, but 3PO introduces R2 and himself, and R2 rolls up and knocks the coin into the slot. Awesome.

[BigDumbWookiee]

The banks are definately cool! I also have those, my favorite was C3PO and R2; I could never really get past the voice with the Vader bank, it just didnt sound right

[dustrho]

The R2-D2C-3P0 bank is sweet!  One of my friends has that it's very cool.  Haven't seen the Darth Vader bank in person, so I don't know if that's any good or not.

[Taminar]

The Riddell mini-helmets are brilliant.  I've managed to pick up most of those on clearance through different catalogs, including, bizarrely enough, a sportsman's catalog.  

I've got the Vader and Droids banks, too.   I had quite a problem with one of them; my husband took it apart and managed to fix it.  But I do not think highly of Thinkway toys.

I've got a few of the film frames; when they came out, my husband and I ran a store and we sold them in there, but I managed to pull a few out and keep them.  I have a couple of the Metallic Images metal trading card sets, and a counter display for the first set, also some of the steins made by the same company.

Auriette

[JediMAC]

I definitely agree on those Riddell mini-helmets.  They are indeed beautiful collectibles.  I actually got my C-3PO one from that Sportsman's Lodge catalog you were referring to.  That was a rather strange place to find a lot of these helmets on sale at.

Unfortunately this line ended before it really even began - just the 5 helmets.  I'd love to see it return also.  Though amazingly detailed, I guess the $75 or so retail price tag on these was just a little too high for most folks.  There were definitely some good sales going around on them after that.  Scored all four of mine for around $20 each, MIMSB.  But yes, I am unfortunately missing that VHTF Stormtrooper helmet still!    I've had it on my eBay favorite searches for over a year, and they routinely end in the $125 - $150 range.  I think I'll keep waiting.  Someday...

I've got the Vader bank as well.  Fun piece!  Can't even recall right now if I picked up the R2/3-PO one as well, though I think I may have.  I definitely have that cool R2-D2 phone though.  That's a lot of fun and just perfect to have in one's SW collecting room (not that I have one right now).

Couple film cells, an actual unused movie theater film trailer for ROTJ:SE (from my brother in law who worked at a theater), and various other odds and ends that I'm sure would fit in here.  Hopefully once we find that new home soon, I can unload and unpack everything, and take inventory of all the stuff I don't even remember owning anymore at this point!  A treasure trove awaits!

I'd really like to get into some of the higher end busts and MR items, but just can't afford to with all of the other facets I'm currently involved in.  But I keep buying those lottery tickets just in case...  

[Mikey D]

I think a very overlooked collectible line is the Applause figural mugs.  I received one for Xmas one year and then had to have them all.  Unfortunely, mine are all boxed away (as is most of my stuff) but I have big plans for them once I get my own home.  I've been eyeing this wood shoe rack at Target (think cubby style) that would be perfect for displaying these.  I think each mug in its own cubby would look awesome.  Applause only made three for E1 (Jar Jar, Maul and R2) and then went defunct, I believe.  Some other company picked up the mantle for AOTC, but only made Jango and Clonetrooper.  I would love to see these make a return.

[JediMAC]

I think a very overlooked collectible line is the Applause figural mugs...

Oh yeah, I forgot about these.  Good call Mike.  They are pretty nice - too nice to be drinking coffee out of for me!  I've got about 8 of these, all OT characters.  I can't recall the total number that were made, but I think I'm still missing at least 4 from the OT...

[Mikey D]

I think a very overlooked collectible line is the Applause figural mugs...

Oh yeah, I forgot about these.  Good call Mike.  They are pretty nice - too nice to be drinking coffee out of for me!  I've got about 8 of these, all OT characters.  I can't recall the total number that were made, but I think I'm still missing at least 4 from the OT...

http://www.rebelscum.com/coffee.asp

Matt, here's the OT mugs.  The only one missing is the Luke Skywalker Jedi.  Him and Obi Wan were the hardest to track down.

And mine have never seen the sweet delicious brew of the coffee bean.  That's what my New England Patriots Super Bowl Champions mug is for  

[Taminar]

I picked up a few of the Applause figural mugs when Tim and I had our store, and I could get mine at cost.     I miss those days sometimes - but then I remember the headaches of retail, so it all evens out.  

Speaking of mugs, I picked up a couple of the mugs based on the Hamilton Collection plates at Walt Disney World.  That would have been about 1988-90, when I worked there.  I'd never seen the mugs anywhere else.  I haven't used any of my SW mugs for beverages, either.

I agree with JediMac about re-discovering one's collection - I can't *wait* to get into a house with a Star Wars room all my own.  I expect I'll even find some duplicate items to trade for what I don't have.  

My first SW phone goes way back to the ROTJ days - it's a Darth Vader speakerphone.  I even used that one for a while when I first moved away from home. I picked up one or two of the new phones but have never used those.  It would be cool to hook 'em up in the SW room, when it's built.

Auriette